Galvis’ single in 9th lifts Phillies to 2-1 win over Braves

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Freddy Galvis boosted the Phillies with his bat and glove.

Galvis hit a bases-loaded single to right field in the ninth inning to give Philadelphia a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, its second straight walk-off win.

The shortstop also made three excellent plays in the field, including a run-saving gem in the first inning.

“I try to catch the ball and do the job for my pitchers and for the team,” Galvis said.

Andrew Knapp led off the ninth with a double to left off Rex Brothers (1-2), who was replaced by Akeel Morris.

Morris walked pinch-hitter Ty Kelly. Cesar Hernandez was trying to advance the runners with a sacrifice, but his bunt stayed just inside the third-base line and Freddie Freeman’s throw was not in time, loading the bases with no outs.

Galvis pulled Morris’ second pitch into right to score Knapp and lift the Phillies to their fourth straight victory and eighth in the last 11.

“We’re taking a step forward,” Galvis said. “We were losing games and there was some frustration. We’re playing hard and with a lot of energy.”

Kelly’s RBI single in the 11th on Saturday night gave Philadelphia a 4-3 win.

Hector Neris (4-4) pitched a scoreless ninth.

Odubel Herrera and Hernandez each had a pair of hits for the Phillies.

Nick Markakis had two hits for the Braves to move within three hits of reaching 2,000. Atlanta has lost seven of eight overall and eight of 10 to the Phillies this season - including all six in Philadelphia.

“It’s one of those ups and downs of the seasons,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ll keep fighting and we’ll bounce back. It’s tough and hard to go through it, but you have to come out and try to win the ballgame tomorrow.”

Both starters had outstanding outings.

Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez matched his season high with seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

“That’s the best I’ve seen him look as far as mound presence is concerned,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “That’s a really big step for him.”

R.A. Dickey also tied his season best by going seven innings for the eighth time, giving up one unearned run on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.

The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Herrera singled, went to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a passed ball.

Dickey’s knuckleball was moving all over the place, resulting in a career high-tying four wild pitches and two passed balls. But as challenging as it was for Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki, Dickey’s specialty pitch also gave the Phillies fits.

“I just had a good feel for it,” Dickey said. “I had a swing-and-miss knuckleball today.”

The Braves tied it in the eighth off Luis Garcia, snapping his career-best scoreless innings streak at 21 2/3.

The Phillies nearly took the lead in the sixth, but Dickey tagged out Herrera, who was trying to come home from third after another ball got away from Suzuki.

GOLD GLOVE?

Third-base coach Ron Washington initially waved Ender Inciarte home as he rounded third in the first inning before pointing back to the bag after Galvis made an excellent play to keep the ball in the infield. It was one of three outstanding defensive plays by Galvis.

“I was disappointed he didn’t win the Gold Glove last year,” Mackanin said. “I think he deserved it. I still think he’s a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop.”

NEW CLOSER

Snitker pitched Jim Johnson in the eighth inning and indicated afterward that he would try others in the closer’s role. Johnson blew his eighth save in Saturday’s loss. Arodys Vizcaino would’ve gotten the nod on Sunday.

“We’ll mix and match a little bit, see where we’re at in the lineups and things like that and give some guys a chance,” Snitker said.

STREAKING

Since June 1, Herrera is batting .340. … Phillips is hitting .373 since the All-Star break.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: RHP Jason Motte (back strain), on the 10-day DL since July 14, threw a perfect inning on Saturday night during a rehab appearance with Single-A Rome.

Phillies: RHP Pedro Beato (left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day DL after injuring himself breaking toward first base on a groundout during Saturday night’s game. The Phillies recalled RHP Mark Leiter Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Beato. … Knapp was hit in the throat by a bouncing Velasquez pitch in the sixth inning, but he remained in the game.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (9-5, 3.82) takes the mound for Atlanta to conclude the four-game series on Monday afternoon.

Phillies: RHP Nick Pivetta (3-6, 5.73) gets the start for Philadelphia.

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